Retractable operator control panel with universal hinge design and dual orientation features

ABSTRACT

An information control panel and hinge member is removably joined together as a single unit to a retractable shuttle device utilized with computer servers or processor-based devices. The shuttle device having a first central opening with plural spaced apart detent grooves positioned thereabout. The hinge member includes a second central opening with plural spaced apart tabs positioned thereabout. A screw fastening element positioned through the first and second openings to directly and rotatably secure the hinge member relative to the shuttle device. A latch release means permits the single unit to be easily positioned in plural horizontal and vertical orientation positions that moves between selective ranges of 0 degrees to 90 degrees as the tabs moves relative to the detent grooves. Also, at least a stop member is located on the hinge member adjacent one of the tabs to stop the single unit at the minimum and extreme orientation positions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No.12/045,989, filed Mar. 11, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to operator information control panelsthat are in cooperation with retractable display modules utilized withcomputer servers and other types of processor-based devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is well known that many of the information control panel systemsutilized on computer server systems are designed to minimize front panelreal estate to maximize airflow across hot internal components ofcomputer server systems or processor-based electronic devices, such asmemory modules and microprocessors. In order to maximize this airflow, acommon design point is a sliding or retracting tray or rack thatprovides information (via LEDs, LCD screens or other similar methods) onthe internal top face of the sliding or retracting tray or rack. Theseoperator panels are typically designed for either horizontal or verticalorientation, but not both. Current mounting mechanisms for the operatorcontrol panels are unidirectional in their rotation once the panels areslid out of the front of the server systems or processor-based devices.

According to one aspect of the prior art, an information display modulemay be a LCD module moveable between a retracted, space-conservingposition and an open, visible or extended position, within aprocessor-based device. The information display module may be pivotedabout a pivot structure from its open position to a position generallyperpendicular to the front of the processor-based device. In addition,the information display module may be resiliently biased between itsretracted or storage position and open or extended display position byspring means cooperatively associated with the pivot structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,778,381 of Bolognia et al discloses a retractabledisplay module system for use with a processor-based device, such as aserver. This system teaches a retractable module that may comprise anLCD module that is movable between a retracted position within theserver and a pivoted open position that is extended outward of theserver to a front of thereof.

Also, many prior art server systems or processor-based devices size andoverall package size have been reduced to conserve physical spacerequirements. Because of size and space, it has become difficult toprovide numerous features at the front portion of servers andprocessor-based devices. Often, it is necessary to provide a displayscreen, such as LEDs or LCD screens that can provide an operator with avariety of information about the operation of the systems orprocessor-based devices or the internal components therein. It is wellknow to those of ordinary skill in the art that conventional displaysrequire substantial space at the front of the server systems orprocessor-based devices. Therefore, it is important to have displaysthat can be removed or retracted to a space-conserving location when notbeing used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes an universal intermediate hinge orconnector member that is disposed between an operator information paneland a sliding shuttle device or tray for holding or securing themtogether as a single unit, while allowing the single unit to beretractably or slidably mounted in a server system or processor-baseddevice and rotated to both horizontal and vertical orientations. Thishinge or connector member allows the operator information panel to beselectively rotated such that the text or information on the top face ofthe panel can be read upright. The intermediate hinge member defines acentral axis that allows the operator information panel and the hingemember to be selectively rotated as a single unit relative to theretractable and sliding tray or shuttle device to permit differentinformation or text viewing positions.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the centralaxis of the intermediate hinge member extends through the retracting andsliding tray or shuttle device and the operator information panel. Acentral or intermediate portion of the intermediate hinge member and acentral hub portion of the slidable or retractable tray or shuttledevice having mating and aligned openings therein for receiving afastening screw-like member. Disposed between the head of the screw-likemember and the hub portion of the shuttle device is a cone-shaped washerfor holding the shuttle device and the hinge member together along thecentral axis. The screw-like member extends through the openings of thehub portion and the hinge member and receives a nut or some other typeof clamping means on the side of the hinge member opposite selectivetabs and a stop member for tightly securing the hinge member and theshuttle device together. This tight securement allows for a slightpulled movement or separation between the hinge member and the shuttledevice along the cone-shaped washer that permits the hinge member to beeasily rotated within the grooves of the shuttle device. To one ofordinary skill in the art, at the time the invention was made, it wouldbe obvious to replace the cone-shaped washer with some type ofcompressible spring or spring-like element wrapped around a shaftportion of the screw to accomplish the same purpose, if desired.Preferably, the cone-shaped washer can be made of a material that has asemi-rigid or flexible like characteristic. Note that the cone-shapedwasher could be made of other types of materials of a more rigid nature,if desired. The above screw member could be replaced by other types ofmechanical fastening means that allows rotation, such as, pins, axles,bearings, hinges and clutch/shaft systems, if desired.

The intermediate hinge member extends parallel along a rear face or sideof the operator information panel and substantially along the entirelength thereof. On the intermediate portion of the intermediate hingemember, at least a pair of selection tabs projecting or extending from asurface thereof. A stop member is positioned adjacent one of theselection tabs and extending or projecting from a surface of theintermediate portion. The central portion of the shuttle device orslidable or retractable tray about the central axis has at least a pairof three selection notches or grooves for matingly receiving theselection tabs for permitting the operation information panel to berotated to selected orientations and text viewing positions. Thisorientation selection method is achieved manually by pulling theoperator panel and hinge member slightly away from the shuttle device orretractable tray just enough to selectively rotate and allow the atleast a pair of tabs to cam or ratchet themselves within the at least apair of three selection notches or grooves for locking the operatorinformation panel in plural selected orientations and text viewingpositions. These selected orientations and text viewing positions aredefined by 0 degrees, which is a horizontal position, and verticalpositions of 45 degrees and 90 degrees. In the first embodiment, thestop member provides added assurance that the intermediate hinge memberwill travel a maximum distance of 90 degrees when the stop member abutsa portion of the shuttle device or slidable or retractable tray adjacentthe hub portion and the pair of tabs is moved to the pair of thirdselected grooves. This allows the text on the top face of theinformation panel to always be read at a correct and easy viewableorientation.

The operator information panel is removeably secured to the hinge memberby mechanical fastening means. Note that the information panel can besecured by a sliding frictional fit element or a snap-fitting elementdisposed thereon with a mating sliding frictional fit element orsnap-fitting element disposed on the hinge member. This fastening meansallows the information panel and the hinge member to be joined togetheras a single unit. Also, other types of mechanical fastening means, suchas, bolts, pins, screws, bolts, rivets, or clasps, to name just a few,can be utilized, if desired.

According to a second embodiment, which is the preferred invention, haveat least a pair of semi-circular grooves or notches on the shuttledevice or retractable tray opposed to the at least a pair of threeseparate grooves or notches of the first embodiment. This embodiment isa second manual orientation selection method that utilizes a moveablelatch or switch moveable between latched and unlatched positions and arotational coil spring to orient the information panel in horizontal andvertical orientation positions. The rotational coil spring having anintermediate portion that is cooperatively secured about a hub portiondefined by the central portion of the shuttle device or retractabletray, with one end cooperatively secured to another portion of theshuttle device or retractable tray, with the other end cooperativelysecured to a portion of the intermediate hinge member. Note that thecoil spring could be fixedly or removeably secured to the hinge memberand the shuttle device. Preferably, the coil spring is removably securedto the hinge member and the shuttle device.

The at least a pair of semi-circular grooves having a depth that allowsthe at least a pair of the selection tabs of the first embodiment to bereceived therein. These tabs will abut one pair of ends of the at leastpair of semi-circular grooves when the information panel and hingemember is positioned parallel to the shuttle device in a horizontalposition, and moved to a selected vertical position when the informationpanel and hinge member has been rotated 90 degrees together as a unitrelative to the shuttle device with the tabs abutting the other pair ofends of the at least a pair of semi-circular grooves upon the release ofthe compression of the coil spring. This 90 degrees rotation is a directresult of the latch or switch being moved to an unlatched position andthe slight relative movement between the hinge member and the shuttledevice along the cone-shaped washer.

The stop member of the second embodiment is disposed outside of the atleast one pair of the semi-circular grooves and abuts the ends of thegrooves when the panel is in a horizontal position and in a verticalselected position when the panel has been rotated 90 degrees and thetabs abut the other ends of the at least a pair of semi-circulargrooves, with the stop member engaging a portion of shuttle deviceadjacent the hub portion in the same manner as described in the firstembodiment. In the second embodiment, the stop member could be anoptional feature. However, it is preferred to include the stop member toprovide added assurance that the intermediate hinge member and theinformation panel will travel a maximum distance of 90 degrees when thestop abuts the portion of the shuttle device or slidable or retractabletray, upon the release of the compression of the coil spring. Thisallows the text on the top face of the information panel to always beread at a correct orientation once the latch or switch has been moved toan unlatched position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, along with its numerousobjects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the retractable operator informationpanel and universal hinge unit coupled to a shuttle device according toa first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the retractable operator information paneland universal hinge unit coupled to a shuttle device according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the dual orientation selectionfeatures of the universal hinge member according to the first embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial view of the shuttle device hub portion witha first type of detent feature according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial view of the shuttle device hub portion witha second type of detent feature according to a second embodiment of thepreferred invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the retractableoperator information panel and universal hinge member coupled to ashuttle device with an orientation latch position according to thepreferred invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the retractableoperator information panel and universal hinge member coupled to ashuttle device with an orientation unlatch position according to thepreferred invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the control or information panel andhinge member unit selectively rotated to a selected vertical orientationof 45 degrees relative to the shuttle device according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the control or information panel andhinge member unit selectively rotated to a selected vertical orientationof 90 degrees relative to the shuttle device according to the first andsecond embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a retaining or nut member inserted on an end of theshoulder screw opposite the head portion to secure the hinge member tothe shuttle device.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of the method of removably attaching anoperator information panel and a universal hinge member as a single unitto a slidable shuttle device mounted for use with a processor-baseddevice in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, it will be understood that they are not intendedto limit the invention to drawings. On the contrary, the presentinvention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications andequivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retractable operator control orinformation panel 3 with a universal hinge member 1 and dual orientationfeatures design assembly. In this embodiment, a plurality of denselypackaged, processor-based devices (not shown) is typically mounted in arack or server system (not shown). The rack or server system is designedto slidably receive a plurality of the processor-based devices. Theseprocessor-based devices are typically mounted on retractable rails thatpermit the processor-based devices to be moved between a retractedposition within the rack or server system and an extended position thatis at least partially extended from the rack or server system. Note thatthe movement between the retracted and extending positions allows foreasy removal or servicing of the individual processor-based devices, aswell as, being able to selectively orient the information panel 3 andhinge member 1 as a unit to horizontal and vertical viewing positions.

The assembly as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a universal hinge member1, a shuttle or retractable tray device 2, and a control or informationpanel 3. The hinge member 1, the shuttle device 2 and the control orinformation panel 3 are secured together to allow the hinge member 1 andinformation panel 3 to be rotated relative to the shuttle device 2.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the retractable operator information panel3 and hinge member 1 unit fastened or secured to a shuttle device 2 by ashoulder screw 4 and a cone-shaped washer 5 and retaining element or nut15. The cone-shaped washer 5 is disposed between a head of the screw 4and a top surface of the hub portion 8 a of the shuttle device 2 forholding the shuttle device 2 and the hinge member 1 and the control orinformation panel 3 together as a single unit.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the dual orientation selectionfeatures. The dual orientation selection features include a stop element6 and at least a pair of orientation selection tabs 7. The stop element6 and the tabs 7 are disposed about a central portion of the hingemember 1. This central portion defines a first central opening 7 a thatreceives the shoulder screw there through. The tabs 7 are positionedopposite one another, with one tab 7 located above the central opening 7a and the other tab 7 located below the central opening 7 a. The stopelement 6 is positioned adjacent and above one of the tabs 7. Thiscentral portion of the hinge member 1 abuts or engages a bottom ormating section of the hub portion 8 a of the shuttle device 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial view of the shuttle device hub portion 8 awith a first type of detent feature of the first embodiment. This firsttype of detent feature includes a pair of at least three separate butadjacent detent grooves 8-10. The detent grooves 8-10 are positionedabove and below a second central opening 10 a of the hub portion 8 a.The first and second openings 7 a, 10 a are aligned with one another toreceive the shoulder screw 4 there through to allow the shuttle device 2and the hinge member 1 to be fastened or secured together by thefastening nut 15, while allowing the control or information panel 3 andhinge member 1 to be rotated as a unit relative to the shuttle device 2.The central openings 7 a, 10 a define a central rotational axis.

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial view of the shuttle device hub portion 8 awith a second type of detent feature of the second embodiment of thepreferred invention. This second type of detent feature includes a pairof at least two separate and spaced apart semi-circular detent grooves11. The detent grooves 11 are positioned above and below the secondcentral opening 10 a of the hub portion 8 a. The first and secondopenings 7 a, 10 a are aligned with one another to receive the shoulderscrew 4 there through to allow the shuttle device 2 and the hinge member3 to be fastened or secured together, while allowing the control orinformation panel 3 and hinge member 1 to be rotated as a unit relativeto the shuttle device 2 about the central rotational axis.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the retractableoperator information panel 3 and universal hinge member 1 coupled to ashuttle device 2 with an orientation latch position according to thepreferred invention. This embodiment is a second manual orientationselection method that utilizes a moveable latch or switch 12 and arotational coil spring 13 to orient the information panel 3 in thecorrect text viewing positions. The rotational coil spring 13 having anintermediate portion 13 a that is cooperatively secured about the hubportion 8 a of the shuttle device or retractable tray, with one end 13 bcooperatively secured to another portion of the shuttle device 2, withthe other end cooperatively secured to a portion of the intermediatehinge member 1. Note that the coil spring 13 could be fixedly orremoveably secured to the hinge member 1 and the shuttle device 2.Preferably, the coil spring 13 is removeably secured to the hinge member1 and the shuttle device 2. As depicted in FIG. 6, the moveable latch orswitch 12 have a first end that is pivoted or rotatably secured to theshuttle device 2 and a second end being received within a slot orchannel 14 in a latched position. This latched position illustrates theinformation panel 3 and the hinge member 1 being latched as a unit in ahorizontal orientation relative to shuttle device 2 in a retracted orextended position within the aforementioned rack or server system. Notethat this horizontal orientation positions the latched information panel3 and the hinge member 1 unit along a parallel surface of the shuttledevice 2, and substantially along its entire length. It is clear to oneof ordinary skill in the art, at the time the invention was made, thatthe latch or switch 12 and the slot or channel 14 can take on othertypes of configurations, such as, a camming device, a spring catchdevice, a snap type device, or a friction type catch device to name justa few.

FIG. 7 is also a top view of the preferred embodiment of the retractableoperator information panel 3 and universal hinge member 1 coupled to ashuttle device 2 with an orientation unlatch latch position according tothe preferred invention. In this embodiment, the latch or switch 12 isshown in an unlatched position. The second end has been pivoted orrotated out of the slot or notch 14. This allows the compression of thespring 12 to be released and the information panel 3 and the hingemember 1 to be rotated as a unit relative to the shuttle device 2 aboutthe central axis of the shuttle device 2 and the hinge member 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates a 45 degree orientation of the single unit hingemember 1 and information panel 3, when the unit is rotated about thecentral axis from the horizontal position relative to the shuttle device2 about the central rotation axis of the openings 7 a, 10 a.

FIG. 9 illustrates a 90 degree orientation of the single unit hingemember 1 and the information panel 3, when the unit is rotated about thecentral axis from the horizontal position relative to the shuttle device2 about the central rotation axis of the openings 7 a, 10 a. This 90degree rotation is applicable to both of the embodiments as shown inFIGS. 1-2 and FIGS. 6-9 of the present invention.

The operation of the FIGS. 1-9 as illustrated above will now bedescribed in greater detail.

In the first embodiment as depicted in FIGS. 1-2, the screw member 4extends through the first and second aligned openings, 7 a, 10 a of thecentral portion of the intermediate hinge member 1 and the central hubportion of the retracting and sliding tray or shuttle device 2. Disposedbetween the head of the screw-like member 4 and the hub portion of theshuttle device 2 is the cone-shaped washer 5 for rotatably securing theshuttle device 2 and the hinge member 1 together as a unit along acentral axis of the aligned openings 7 a, 10 a. The end of thescrew-like member opposite the head portion extends through the opening10 a of the hub portion and the opening 7 a of the hinge member 1 andreceives the nut or some other type of clamping means 15 on the side ofthe hinge member 1 opposite the tabs 7 and the stop member 6 for tightlysecuring the hinge member 1 and the shuttle device 2 together as a unit.This tight securement allows a user to pull at least on the hinge member1 or the hinge member 1 and information panel 3 unit along the screw 4and against the cone-shaped washer to slightly separate the hinge member1 relative to the shuttle device 2 so that the hinge member 1 along withinformation panel 3 can be easily rotated to at least a pair of thethree selected grooves 8-10 of the shuttle device 2. This selectiverotation determines the horizontal viewing orientation position and thevertical viewing orientation positions at 45 degrees and 90 degrees asthe hinge member 1 and the shuttle device 2 rotates as a single unit.This rotation allows the top face of the information panel 3 to beviewed at both horizontal and vertical orientation positions.

The hinge member 1 extends parallel along the rear face or side of theoperator information panel 3 and substantially along the entire lengththereof. On the intermediate portion of the intermediate hinge member 1,the at least a pair of selection tabs 7 project or extend from a surfacethereof. The stop member 6 is positioned adjacent one of the selectiontabs 7 and extending or projecting from a surface of the intermediateportion of the hinge member 1. The central portion of the shuttle deviceor slidable or retractable tray 2 about the central axis has the atleast a pair of three selection notches or grooves 8-10 for matinglyreceiving the selection tabs 7 for permitting the information panel 3and the hinge member 1 to be rotated as a single unit to selectedhorizontal and vertical orientations and text viewing positions. Thisorientation selection method is achieved manually by pulling on thesingle unit that includes the information panel 3 and hinge member 1slightly away from the shuttle device or retractable tray 2 just enoughto selectively rotate and allow the at least a pair of tabs to cam orratchet themselves within the at least a pair of three selection notchesor grooves 8-10 for locking or latching the operator information panel 3in plural selected orientations and text viewing positions. Theseselected orientations and text viewing positions are defined by 0degrees, which is a horizontal position, and vertical positions of 45degrees and 90 degrees. In the first embodiment, the stop member 6provides added assurance that the intermediate hinge member 1 willtravel a maximum distance of 90 degrees when the stop member 6 abuts aportion of the shuttle device or slidable or retractable tray 2 adjacentthe hub portion 8 a and the pair of tabs is moved to the pair of thirdselected grooves. This allows the text on the top face of theinformation panel to always be read at a correct and easy viewableorientation.

The operator information panel 3 is removeably secured to the hingemember 1 by mechanical fastening means. Note that the information panel3 can be secured by a sliding tight fit element or a snap-fittingelement with a mating sliding tight fit element or snap-fitting elementon the hinge member 1. Also, other types of mechanical fastening means,such as, bolts, pins, screws, rivets, clasps, etc., to name just a fewcan be utilized, if desired.

According to a second embodiment, which is the preferred invention asdepicted in FIGS. 6-10, have the at least a pair of semi-circulargrooves or notches 11 on the shuttle device or retractable tray 2opposed to the at least a pair of three separate grooves 8-10 of thefirst embodiment. This embodiment defines a second manual orientationselection method that utilizes a moveable latch or switch member 12 thatis moveable between latched and unlatched positions. A rotational coilspring 13 having an intermediate portion that is cooperatively securedabout a hub portion defined by the central portion of the shuttle deviceor retractable tray 2, with a first end 13 a cooperatively secured toanother portion of the shuttle device or retractable tray 2 and a secondend 13 b cooperatively secured to a portion of the intermediate hingemember 1. Note that the coil spring could be fixedly or removeablysecured to the hinge member 1 and the shuttle device 2. Preferably, thecoil spring 13 is removeably secured to the hinge member 1 and theshuttle device 2. In the second embodiment, the screw 4 as depicted inthe exploded view of FIG. 10 could be a hinge pin 16, as well as othermechanical fasteners, if desired.

The at least a pair of semi-circular grooves 11 having a depth thatallows the at least a pair of the selection tabs 7 depicted in the firstembodiment to be received therein. These tabs 7 will abut one pair ofends of the at least pair of semi-circular grooves 11 when theinformation panel 3 and hinge member 1 is positioned parallel to theshuttle device 2 in a horizontal and latched position, and moved to aselected vertical position when the information panel 3 and hinge member1 has been rotated 90 degrees together as a unit relative to the shuttledevice 2 with the tabs 7 abutting the other pair of ends of the at leasta pair of semi-circular grooves 11 upon the release of the compressionof the coil spring 13 to an unlatched position. This 90 degrees rotationis a direct result of the latch or switch member 12 being moved out theslot or channel 14 of the hinge member 1 to the unlatched position andthe slight separation movement of the hinge member 1 relative to theshuttle device 2 along the screw 4 and against the cone-shaped washer 5as discussed earlier.

The stop member 6 of the second embodiment is disposed outside of the atleast one pair of the semi-circular grooves 11 and abuts a portion ofthe hub portion 8 a when the information panel 3 is in a horizontalposition and the stop 6 abuts another portion of the hub portion 8 awhen the information panel 3 is the vertical selected position. When theinformation panel 3 and hinge member 1 have been rotated 90 degrees tothe vertical selected position due to the compression release of thecoil spring 13 upon the unlatching of the latch or switch 12 from thechannel 14, the tabs 7 abut the other ends of the at least a pair ofsemi-circular grooves 11, with the stop member 6 engaging anotherportion of the shuttle device 2 adjacent the hub portion 8 a in the samemanner as described in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment,the stop member 6 could be an optional feature. However, it is preferredto include the stop member 6 to provide added assurance that theintermediate hinge member 1 and the information panel 3 will only travela maximum distance of 90 degrees when the stop 6 abuts the anotherportion adjacent the hub portion 8 a of the shuttle device or slidableretractable tray 2, upon the release of the compression of the coilspring 13. This allows the text on the top face of the information panel3 to always be read at a correct vertical orientation when the latch orswitch 12 is moved out of the latch channel 14.

Referring now to the flow diagram as illustrated in FIG. 11, a method 20of removably attaching a retractable information control panel withuniversal hinge design and plural orientation features in accordance tothe present invention will now be described. The method 20 asillustrated in FIG. 11 depicts the device as illustrated in FIGS. 1-10above with the same aforementioned elements and reference numerals. Theaforementioned method 20 initiates at step 21 for removably attachingthe information control panel 3 and the hinge member 1 together as asingle unit to the retractable shuttle device 2.

At step 22, the hinge member 1 is provided with the intermediate centralportion having the first central opening 7 a with the plural spacedapart tabs 7 positioned thereabout with the stop member 6 positionedadjacent one of the selection tabs 7 and extending or projecting from asurface of the intermediate central portion of the hinge member 1.

At step 23, the shuttle device 2 is provided with the central hubportion 8 a having the second central opening 10 a with the pluralspaced apart detent grooves 8-10 of FIG. 4 or the plural spaced apartdetent grooves 11 of FIG. 5 positioned thereabout. This central portionof the hinge member abuts or engages one side of the hub portion 8 a ofthe shuttle device for matingly engaging the tabs 7 with the detentgrooves 8-10.

At step 24, the fastening device includes the screw element 4, thewasher 5 and the fastening or retaining nut 15 for securing the hingemember 1 and the shuttle device 2 together for relative rotation. Thescrew member 4 is extended through the first and second alignedopenings, 7 a, 10 a of the central portion of the intermediate hingemember 1 and the central hub portion of the retracting and sliding trayor shuttle device 2. Disposed between the head of the screw-like member4 and the hub portion of the shuttle device 2 is the cone-shaped washer5 for rotatably securing the shuttle device 2 and the hinge member 1together along a central axis of the aligned openings 7 a, 10 a. The endof the screw-like member opposite the head portion is inserted throughthe opening 10 a of the hub portion and the opening 7 a of the hingemember 1 and receives the nut 15 on the side of the hinge member 1opposite the tabs 7 and the stop member 6 for tightly securing the hingemember 1 and the shuttle device 2 together. Securing step 24 allows thehinge member 1 to be rotated relative to the shuttle device 2 with thetabs 7 being selective positioned within the detent grooves 8-10 in afirst preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 4 or within the pair ofaforementioned semi-circular detent grooves 11 in a second preferredembodiment as shown in FIG. 5 for permitting the information panel 3 andthe hinge member 1 to be rotated as a single unit to selected horizontaland vertical orientations and text viewing positions between selectiveranges of 0 degrees to 90 degrees.

Note that the stop member 6 is an optional feature as discussed earlier.It is added to make sure that the intermediate hinge member 1 willtravel a maximum distance of 90 degrees when the stop member 6 abuts astop portion 8 b of the shuttle device or slidable or retractable tray 2adjacent the hub portion 8 a and the pair of tabs is moved to the thirdpair of selected grooves 8-10 in the first preferred embodiment of FIG.4. In the second preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the pair oftabs 7 will matingly engage within the pair of semi-circular grooves 11.As the tabs 7 move within the semi-circular grooves, the ends of thetabs 7 and the ends of the semi-circular grooves defines the stop memberrather than stop member 6. This allows the text on the top face of theinformation panel 3 to always be read at a correct and easy viewableorientation.

At step 25, releasable latch means is provided to permit the informationpanel 3 and hinge member 1, the single unit, to be easily rotatedrelative to the shuttle device to selective plural horizontal andvertical orientation positions that moves between selective ranges of 0degrees to 90 degrees as the tabs 7 move relative about the detentgrooves 8-10 of FIG. 4 or the semi-circular detent grooves 11 of FIG. 5.

According to other aspects, the method 20 includes in the firstpreferred invention as shown in FIGS. 1-4, provides for a manualreleasable latch means. This orientation selection method 20 is achievedmanually by merely pulling on the single unit that includes theinformation panel 3 and hinge member 1 slightly away from the shuttledevice or retractable tray 2 against the resilient cone washer 5 justenough to selectively rotate and allow the at least a pair of tabs 7 tocam or ratchet themselves within the at least a pair of three selectionnotches or grooves 8-10 for locking or latching the operator informationpanel 3 in minimum and extreme selected orientations and text viewingpositions. These selected orientations and text viewing positions aredefined by 0 degrees, which is a horizontal position, and verticalpositions of 45 degrees and 90 degrees.

Another one of the aspects of method 20, as shown in FIGS. 5-10,provides for a manual releasable latch means that includes a manuallatch 12, a rotational coil spring member 13, 13 a-13 b, and a latchrecess 14. This embodiment defines a second manual orientation selectionmethod 20 that utilizes the manual latch or switch member 12 that ismoveable between latched and unlatched positions. The rotational coilspring 13 having an intermediate portion that is cooperatively securedbetween the central hub portion 8 a of the shuttle device or retractabletray 2 and the intermediate central portion of hinge member 1, with afirst end 13 a cooperatively secured to a portion of the shuttle deviceor retractable tray 2 and a second end 13 b cooperatively secured to aportion of the intermediate hinge member 1. Note that the coil spring13, 13 a, 13 b could be fixedly or removably secured to the hinge member1 and the shuttle device 2. Preferably, the coil spring 13, 13 a-13 b isremovably secured to the hinge member 1 and the shuttle device 2. In alatched position, releasable latch 12 is positioned within latch recess14, thereby compressing the spring 13, 13 a-13 b, when the informationpanel 3 and hinge member 1 is positioned parallel to the shuttle device2 in a horizontal and latched position, when the tabs 7 are receivedwithin the semi-circular detent grooves 11 and abutting one pair of endsof the pair of semi-circular grooves 11. Upon moving the latch 12 fromthe latch recess 14 against the resilient cone washer 5 as discussedearlier, the compression of the coil spring 13, 13 a-13 b is therebyreleased and moves the tabs 7 within the semi-circular detent grooves 11to a selected vertical position when the information panel 3 and hingemember 1 are rotated 90 degrees together as a unit relative to theshuttle device 2 with the tabs 7 abutting the other pair of ends of thepair of semi-circular grooves 11 to define the stop member.

In conclusion, since the structure is a simple arrangement, the singleunit information panel 3 and universal hinge 1 can easily be mounted ineither horizontal or vertical orientations while being rotated about acommon axis. The advantage is that it opens up more possibilities forintegrating a single control panel design into more products and thuseliminating cost of development for multiple subassemblies for differentinformation panel orientations.

The foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments of FIGS. 1-11have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Theyare not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention tothe precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications andvariations are possible in the light of the above teaching. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical application, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention andvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be defined as set forth in the following claim(s).

1. A method of removably attaching an operator information panel and auniversal hinge member as a single unit to a slidable shuttle devicemounted for use with a processor-based device, the method comprising:providing a universal hinge member with a central intermediate portionwith a first opening therein; providing the universal hinge member withat least a pair of spaced apart tabs above and below the first opening;providing at least a stop member positioned outwardly of and adjacent tothe at least one of the pair of spaced apart tabs; providing an operatorinformation panel that is removably coupled to the universal hingemember as a single unit; providing a shuttle device slidable betweenretracted and extended display positions; providing the shuttle devicewith a central hub portion with a second opening therein; providing thecentral hub portion with at least a pair of plural selective detentgrooves thereon; providing at least a stop member positioned outwardlyof and adjacent to the at least one of the pair of spaced apart tabs;providing a shoulder screw member with a head portion and a cone-shapedwasher disposed thereon and below the head portion; inserting the screwmember through the first and second openings with an end portionopposite the head portion for receiving a retaining member for securingthe shuttle device to the hinge member and information panel unit, thehinge member is disposed parallel and substantially along the entirelength of a surface of the shuttle device in a horizontal orientationposition; and releasing latch means disposed between the universal hingemember and the shuttle device, wherein the hinge member and theinformation panel is able to be rotated as single unit relative to theshuttle device to selective plural horizontal and vertical positionsalong a central rotational axis about the first and second openings, thereleasing of the locking means allows the at least a pair of spacedapart tabs to be selective rotated along the at least a pair of pluralselective detent grooves to orient a top face of the information panelto be able to viewed in both the horizontal and the vertical positionsas the single unit is rotated about the rotational axis relative toshuttle device, and the selective horizontal and vertical positionsextend within a range between 0 degrees and 90 degrees due to theselective rotational position of the stop member.